Shadowed Summer

Synopsis:

Summer in Ondine, Louisiana, is always predictable: hot and boring.

Not this one.

This summer, Iris is forteen. This summer, she doesn't have to make up spooky stories for excitement. Because a real one falls into her lap. Years ago, before she was born, a teenage named Elijah disappeared. All that remains of him are whispers. Until this summer. A ghost begins to haunt Iris, and she's convinced it's the ghost of Elijah.

What really happened? And why, of all people, has he chosen Iris.

Review:

This book was a quick, easy read and a good one at that. I wouldn't go as far as saying it blew me out of my shoes it was so good, but it was something that kept my interest during one of the long bus rides in Ireland.

The main character, Iris, was probably one of the best things about the book. She can't quite do things on her own and is always with her best friend Collette. A typical young teenager who hasn't seen much outside of her town, she goes looking for things to do and one of them is calling upon the spirits in the local cemetary. I can't really get on her for that one, I have done it! But it is how she grows throughout the book that I really think keeps you interested. She goes from a follower to a leader.

Though I wouldn't rate the book in my top favorites, I do rate it in the top 30. Saundra Mitchell did a great job creating small town life and the secrets many of them hold. Go pick this one up, especially if you are a younger teenager; you will enjoy it.